Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory, approach-affect and avoidance-affect

This paper brings together Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory and other perspectives on wellbeing to test predictions about dimensions of affect which are linked to approach motivation or avoidance motivation. Valence and activation are jointly conceptualised as either approach-affect or avoidance-aff...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cognition and emotion 2021-06, Vol.35 (4), p.619-635
Main Authors: Warr, Peter B., Sánchez-Cardona, Israel, Taneva, Stanimira K., Vera, Maria, Bindl, Uta K., Cifre, Eva
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activation
Approach
Approach-Avoidance
avoidance
Avoidance behavior
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Humans
Inhibition, Psychological
Motivation
Reinforcement
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory
Reinforcement, Psychology
valence
Well being
wellbeing
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Summary:This paper brings together Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory and other perspectives on wellbeing to test predictions about dimensions of affect which are linked to approach motivation or avoidance motivation. Valence and activation are jointly conceptualised as either approach-affect or avoidance-affect through the diagonal axes of an affective circumplex. Across four studies in three different countries, predictions about Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory's Behavioural Activation System, Behavioural Inhibition System and Fight-Flight-Freeze System are found to be supported. Correlations with external variables are shown to depend on a wellbeing measure's emphasis on approach or avoidance, such that affect and external features which both emphasise motivation to approach or to avoid yield substantially larger intercorrelations than do non-concordant pairs. In addition, joining valence with activation is shown to yield correlational benefits as predicted. Implications of our perspective and operationalisation are reviewed, and specific research recommendations are made.
ISSN:0269-9931
1464-0600
DOI:10.1080/02699931.2020.1855119